Kobudo and the H embusen

Although the Covid pandemic is now considered to be over, I still feel it is safer for me to train alone for the time being, but that doesn't mean I stop training or trying different things.  Some while back, a FaceBook friend shared a video of him doing a simple Sai kata based loosely on Pinan Nidan.   I've been practicing that for a while now, but not doing very much with Bo or Nunchaku.

I remember a few of the basic kihon for Nunchaku and Bo from the dojo, but these are fairly static,  We did some work on kata as well, but my memory of those is so sketchy it wasn't worth trying to recreate.  I found practicing Sai in a simple kata far more rewarding than doing the basic Bo and Nunchaku kihon on their own, so I came up with the idea of applying these kihon to the basic Pinan H Embusen, as was shown to me with the Sai.

I have documented what I have done below, both in video and written form.  I was also asked to show what I was doing by my friend PJ Broomy.   That demonstration is included after the written description of the Bo Kihon on the H Embusen.  Hopefully some of you find this of interest.

REY 02/07/2022

Sai kata

Turn left into Zenkutsu dachi, LH Gidan uke with Sai extended.  Step forward, LH retract Sai, RH punch with pommel of Sai.

Turn Right 180 deg. in to Zenkutsu dachi, RH Gidan uke with Sai extended.  Step forward, RH retract Sai, LH punch with pommel of Sai.

Turn left into  Zenkutsu dachi, LH Gidan uke with Sai extended. 

Step forward, LH retract Sai, RH Jodan uke with pommel of Sai.

Step forward, LH Jodan uke with pommel of Sai.

Step forward, RH Jodan uke with pommel of Sai.

Turn left 270 degrees into Zenkutsu dachi, LH Gidan uke with Sai extended.  Step forward, LH retract Sai, RH punch with pommel of Sai.

Turn Right 180 deg. in to Zenkutsu dachi, RH Gidan uke with Sai extended.  Step forward, RH retract Sai, JH punch with pommel of Sai.

Turn left into  Zenkutsu dachi, LH Gidan uke with Sai extended. 

Step forward, LH retract Sai, RH punch with pommel of Sai.

Step forward, LH punch with pommel of Sai

Step forward, RH punch with Sat extended, Retract Sai.

Turn left 270 degrees into Zenkutsu dachi, LH Gidan uke with Sai extended.  Step forward, LH retract Sai, RH horizonal cut with Sai extended.

Turn Right 180 deg. in to Zenkutsu dachi, RH Gidan uke with Sai extended.  Step forward, RH retract Sai, LH horizontal cut with Sai extended.

Retract Sai and turn left to finish.

Nunchaku Kihon on H Embusen

Turn left into Zenkutsu dachi, LH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch left wrist then LH behind left shoulder.  RH release to guard, LH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

  Step forward, RH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn Right 180 deg. in to Zenkutsu dachi, LH taking back one of pair.  RH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch right wrist then RH behind right shoulder.  LH release to guard, RH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

Step forward, LH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn left into  Zenkutsu dachi, RH taking back one of pair. LH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch left wrist then LH behind left shoulder.  RH release to guard, LH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and take that one of pair.

Right leg forward into Zenkutsu dachi, RH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch right wrist then RH behind right shoulder.  LH release to guard, RH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and take that one of pair.

Left leg forward into Zenkutsu dachi, LH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch left wrist then LH behind left shoulder.  RH release to guard, LH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

Step forward, RH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn left 270 degrees into Zenkutsu dachi, LH taking back one of pair.  LH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch left wrist then LH behind left shoulder.  RH release to guard, LH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

  Step forward, RH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn Right 180 deg. in to Zenkutsu dachi, LH taking back one of pair.  RH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch right wrist then RH behind right shoulder.  LH release to guard, RH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

Step forward, LH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn left into  Zenkutsu dachi, RH taking back one of pair. Raise Nuchaku above head, RH higher than left.  RH release to guard, LH downward forehand cross stroke, backhand cross stoke, upward stroke, downward stroke, forehand cross.  Trap with guard hand and take that one of pair.

Right leg forward into Zenkutsu dachi.  Raise Nuchaku above head, LH higher than right.  LH release to guard, RH downward forehand cross stroke, backhand cross stoke, upward stroke, downward stroke, forehand cross.  Trap with guard hand and take that one of pair..

Left leg forward into Zenkutsu dachi. Raise Nuchaku above head, RH higher than left.  RH release to guard, LH downward forehand cross stroke, backhand cross stoke, upward stroke, downward stroke, forehand cross.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

Step forward, RH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn left 270 degrees into Zenkutsu dachi, LH taking back one of pair.  LH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch left wrist then LH behind left shoulder.  RH release to guard, LH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

  Step forward, RH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn Right 180 deg. in to Zenkutsu dachi, LH taking back one of pair.  RH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch right wrist then RH behind right shoulder.  LH release to guard, RH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

Step forward, LH punch with base of Nunchaku.  Turn right and finish.

Nunchaku lesson, kihon on the H Embusen

Bo Kihon on H Embusen

Shiko dachi with bo level.  Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. RH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, turn bo through 180 degrees whilst watching the striking tip.

Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. LH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, then Left foot forward, LH forward. Back leg up, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  RL back, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  LL back, strike down. 

LF forward, transfer bo so LH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  RL back, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  LL back, strike down. 

Turn 270 degrees into Shiko dachi, bo level. Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. RH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, turn bo through 180 degrees whilst watching the striking tip.

Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. LH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, then Left foot forward, LH forward. Back leg up, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  RL back, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  LL back, strike down. 

LF forward, transfer bo so LH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  RL back, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  LL back, strike down. 

Turn 270 degrees into Shiko dachi, bo level. Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. RH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, turn bo through 180 degrees whilst watching the striking tip.

Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. LH drops into vertical parry.

Finish.

Times they are a changing,,,,

Missing practice definitely messes up the routine I have developed for myself to cope with the claustrophobic feeling of being cooped up for over three months now..  Work has become much busier though, due to the firm I am contracted to starting to ramp things up for going back to more office based working towards the end of July.  

Dancing in the spotlight 1706 

I've missed the last two Monday Lessons (15th and 29th of June) as a result, but the weekends have been more full, so I suppose that kind of makes up for it.  As well as the additional kobudo lessons we've been having in bo and nunchaku, on Sunday 21st we had our first zoom lesson with the head of our Ryukyukan Shorin-Ryu association, Hanshi Koei Nohara.  On Friday evening of 26th, I got to watch Senei Noah Legel's Naihanchi Seminar (that may have been a bridge too far as it was from 23:00 to 01:00 UK time and had no practice, so actually dozed through a part of it 😞😞😞) and on Sunday 29th my dojo hosted an online seminar about awareness, given by Jamie Clubb.

Kata and pad work 1806

Katate for me has become my touchstone for my mental as with as physical health, as I have documented in earlier blogs.  I feel that is important for both that I am able to train and take all the opportunities I can to do so.  Mentally, it gives me the "space" I need to be able to subconsciously process all the dynamics of home and work, when they both have to be done from the same location.

Bo Practice 2006

There are many issues that I have to prioretise, including some that clamour for immediate attention have had to take a back seat, due to the intensity of work.  This gives me little time to pay the proper attention to these things, but karate for me helps me the clarity of mind that it is best sometimes to delay this things until I have proper time to deal with them.  Sometime it is worse to try to do things in a rush, as the resulting complication could actually make things far worse,

Kata and press ups 2106

I thing tensions in any home would be strained if people who normally spend time apart are all cooped up for three to four months with no mechanisms for release, and where mental health is involved this can be doubly so.  This can be magnified if multiple people with such issues live together.  Here again, the relaxation and realisation of the way things can escalate areof great importance to me.  I am no paragon of virtue, but the lessons learnt through karate again I believe stand me in good stead.

Bo and kata 2306

From a purely dojo based point of view the last few weeks have involved going back to our roots.  Last week, two of the lessons focused on the throwing techniques of Funokoshi Geishin, and the lesson I missed this week featured the kumite techniques of Motobu Choki.  I have been promised the next lesson will follow on with his work, definitely looking forward to it ☺☺☺☺

Smorgasbord 2406

I short Karate is one of the few reliable constants I have at a time when things, and the challenges they bring, are constantly changing.  I really need to continue to train ☺☺☺.  And now I'm doing the 25  press up, 25 day challenge aimed at raising the awareness of mental health issues.

Kata after the lesson 2506

Lessons and Seminars

1806

Kata
Padwork, Fence, palm strike, crash, head control, knee strikes, head up and elbow strike, arm drag, head pull, punch, escape
Naihanchi shadow sparring

2006

Take downs x 6 from Funokoshi

1) To topple a folding screen.

RH fighting stance open handed.  Rising LH block to RH punch then arm grab. RH open palm under chin.  R leg step through behind opponent, push up and through with RH, using trapped arm as  pivot, push over stepped through leg.

2) Spinning top

RH fighting stance open handed. Step outside RH punch, hook over with RH and grasp / pull.  LH push onto back of exposed shoulder, step back with R leg and turn into Shiko dachi. Pulling through with RH, pushing down with left.

3) To encircle the neck

RH fighting stance open handed. Step outside RH punch, hook over with RH.  R leg step through behind opponent, R arm comes ups to encircle neck, rotate upper body to left to pull over stepped through leg.

4) Half wheel throw

RH fighting stance open handed. Step outside RH punch, hook over with RH.  R leg step through in front of opponent.  R arm comes ups to encircle neck, L arm goes down to go grab leg.  Step back with right leg to throw (turn, lift and pull)

5) V turning swallow

RH fighting stance, open handed.  Cross block to rising punch, left hand hooks and controls, R foot step in (in front of opponent) and punch under their chin, then grab under extended (r) arm into the armpit.  Pull wrist to hip, and step back with left leg, rotating counter clockwise and sinking to onto the left knee, using the rotation of the arm to throw the opponent.

6) To throw off a cliff (hip throw)

RH fighting stance, opponent throws hook punch. Block high left and grasp RH, step in with R leg and punch to gut with R hand.  Grab round back with right hand and pull with LH./Push in with R hip, step back left leg and pull them onto and over R hip to floor, keeping hold of R hand.  Punch and release.

Bo

Shushi no kon

Kata in the rain 2707

2106 (Sensei Nohara)

Fundamentals -ukes and tsukis, mai geri, shuto, hisa geri
Kata Naihanchi, Pinan and Passai (stayed with Naihanchi)

2506

Jamie Clubb's 10 round MMA workout, at over 30 degrees.  My heart rate was over 150 after the first two rounds, and so say I had to miss some bits out was an understatement, but kept trying.  Then kata to finish, including 1 legged Naihanchi

2606

Noah Legel's Naihanchi Seminar

2706

Kata
Funokoshi throws

To circle with the arm
Opponent attacks two handed, step back (L leg) and counter with two handed rising block.  Sink down (sliding R foot forward) and deliver two hammer fists to the sides.  Sink down further and take down by tackling behind the knees then pulling back

To hammer upside down

Opponent attack right handed high punch, step back (L leg) and counter with right hand rising block.  Slide (R leg) forward into Shiko dachi, sliding right shoulder under opponent's arm pit and taking hold of opponent's left thigh.  Lift and overturn, drive head into the ground.

Nunchaku

A run through various techniques and transitioning.

2806

Jamie Clubb's awareness seminar

Covid Blues and Dancing in the rain

This blog is one of the hardest I've had to write, as I think the best way to describe what I suffered from was a dose of the Covid blues.  It's been over eleven weeks now since I left the house, and the and after the 10th week it was like running into a brick wall.  Being on the at risk register makes you more aware of the risks, and seeing the country gearing up to go back to work, but coupled with the lack of responsibly some people seem to show put extra worries on top an already fraught household. 

After the 25th May lesson...

It's fair to say that my family has more than it's fair share of issues, some relating to mental health, which sit on top of my own health concerns.  My own mental health hasn't been the best, making more distracted and tetchy than usual.  The worrying prospect of having to go back to work on insanely crowded public transport, without any reasonable treatment having been found was looming on the horizon was and still is a big factor, but the final straw as it felt at the time was the weekend of the 30th of May.

Kata at dusk (27th May)

Watching footage of people piling on to beaches yet again, insane traffic queues following the government's ill advised (in my opinion) opening up of unlimited travel set the alarm bells ringing.  Then we found we had new neighbours...... They announced themselves with a barbecue with guests from outside the household.  There certainly wasn't space in their back garden to socially distance and it sounded like they were having an after barbeque drinks part inside as well.  It didn't feel safe to go out and train that day and honestly felt like Covid city had come home to roost on the doorstep 😔😔😔

Kata after 28th May Lesson

On top of that some cricitcism I got got stuck iny brain, so I didn't venture out for about for about three days.  In the middle of that was Jamie Chubb's seminar and a Nunchacku lesson, all indoors.  It's fair to say I felt nowhere near my normal levels of enthusiasm for doing karate. I had a mental health counselling session booked in for the Tuesday morning though, and these have been another thing that have kept my going.  I felt the need to do something positive prior to the session, so on the Tuesday morning, ventured out to do some kata in the garden.

2nd June, The dawn kata

That and the counselling helped, so I started to feel better about myself, though a lot of the worries still remain.  I ventured out the following morning in the early hours to get myself back in the habit of going outside, this time with a little improvised work and to keep pushing myself.

3rd June, Bo, kicks and kata

The Thursday lesson I did indoors due to a rather wet and inclement evening, bu there was no way I was staying in doors for the Saturday.  There was a bit of drizzle but to be honest it felt good to train outdoors again, both for the regular lesson and the bo lesson that followed.  Afterwards I did a bit of bo kihon and regular kata, still with a little bit of rain coming down, hence the title of that video "dancing in the rain" ☺☺☺☺

6th June, Dancing in the rain

Made sure I got outside again on the Sunday as well to do a bit of practice base on one of the week's lessons, plus a recap on the Nunchaku lesson from the week before.  Just got to keep on going and trying my best to live in the moment, and put to one side for now what the coming weeks might bring.  I will have to face those challenges when I come to them, but since I don't know what they will be, there is no point in worry in what they might be.  I must also try to keep my own reactions to situations on an even keel, and not take too much to heart.  These are my resolutions for the time being, as to how well I do going forward, only time will tell.

7th June, Ukes, nunchaku and kata

Lessons

2505

Jab, cross, step forward, RH jab, step forward LH, knee strike, RH elbow, head control. step forward, pivot of right foot to left takedown, 270 degree rotation, gyaku tsuki, stomp
Cat stance, inside scoop (of kick), step through into Shiko dachi, Right elbow strike takedown, gyaku tsuki, stomp
Outside sweeping block, Step in front leg, jab cross should be in there ( missed out in lesson) take down (hooking neck with forearm over shouider), gyaku tsuki, stomp
Inside sweeping block catstance, side kick, low sweep with left foot, elbow under, take back, stomping pick, gyaku Tsuki, stomp

2805

Fundamentals including tobi mai geri (jumping front kick) and outside block
kata
padwork on hooks, hammerfist and cutting elbow

3005

Guest lesson with Jamie Chubb - soft skills, use of the sprawl, checking for escape routes

Nunchaku lesson

Kihon kata, strike down, forearm touch, transition behind, figure of eight, transition behind, strike down

0406

Jodan uke in yoi, transition to Shiko dachi, jodan uke again
Chudan uke in yoi, transition to Shiko dachi, chudan uke again.
Shoto uke in yoi, transition to Shiko dachi, shoto uke again
Jodan uke, gedan uke, one side punch other, repeat both sides
Jodan uke, gedan uke, shoto uke one side punch other, repeat both sides
Jodan uke, gedan uke, shoto uke, chudan uke one side punch other, repeat both sides
Short piece of work on other uke combinations
Kata
Pad work on back fist
Kata

0606

Quadrant drill, individual elements, short section drills, through to mawashi geri
Jab, cross, front hand hook.
Hammer fist, looping left, back hand hook.
Front hand slap, cutting elbow, left upper cut, right uppercut
Left hand ridge hand, right hand shuto, gable grip, LH step back and drag, left knee, switch to RH drag and knee
Head butt, hands up, LH shoulder barge.
Right leg mawashi geri, back to stance, switch,left leg mawashi geri, back to stance, switch, hold out right leg mawashi geri, back to stance, spin through mawashi geri, round back to stance

Bo

First six kihon kata

Old Hopalong

I had both a lesson in the Dojo and an additional lesson booked for Saturday, so it just had to happen. We had an extended warm up in the dojo; after the normal running, sit ups, squatageris, and stretching, we practiced rolling out from full mount by trapping the head and one leg of the assailant, then we practiced avoid, then stun and avoid on a knife being pulled,  I ran out on the first element, so on the second element I was determined to give it ago.  I got a double palm strike in on the first run through and a single one on the second run through.  Then I felt like a sharp stab in my right calf as I carried on running.  Sure enough, the pain shot as soon as I stopped..... Seems like I've pulled my calf muscle 😞😞😞

I wanted to carry on, but had to sit out various parts of the lesson.  We went from the knife drills to Mokusu and the formal opening, Then on to fundamentals, punches, receiving techniques, and kicks - had to sit out that part, and would have certainly struggled with the 10 mid to high level Mawashi geris, even on a good day.

After that, I was back into the lesson, for two person drills and Kata, I got to practice Naihanchi Nidan with the more advanced group before going back to doing Naihanchi Shodan, which ended with doing another solo performance then a couple more paired drills.  Plenty of variety as usual, and relieved to get to the end of it without doing myself anny further mischief. 😌😌😌

Being a glutton for punishment, I  decided to go ahead with thr additional lesson.  The main purpose of this was to work on Tensho with my Sensei, especially the way in which the breathing ties into the actions and basics such as the Sanchin dachi stance abd step throughs.   However, to make up for what I had missed on the main lesson, we also went over the fundamentals again, this time including kicks.  The kicks were more about form than  repetition, concentrating on mainly my Yoko and Ushiro geri 
techniques, followed by another run through of Naihanchi Shodan.

I must be kind of mad, because I also went to the Monday evening session as I wasn't at work.  Whilst I was a little ginger on my right leg, I managed to participate in most of the lesson.  I missed out on some of the kicks, and got a sharp reminder when a roll out from under went slightly awry, but otherwise was pleasantly surprised. ☺☺☺

Most of the lesson was taken up by working on paired drills, including revisions to the quadrant drill, kicking drills, take downs and escape from take downs (trap and roll).  We finished off with about thirty minutes working on the Hamahiga nunchuku kata.   A really enjoyable lesson, and I think I must have been lucky with the muscle injury. ☺☺☺

Dojo calm in the midst of things

This last week at home and at work has been a little mixed to say the least, some of it through my own shortcomings and some not, so time at the Dojo on Saturday was a welcome break.  The session was varied as always, which is one of the reasons I love training there 😊😊

There were the usual stretches, plus a few newer ones I first tried last Monday, followed by Kata; only Naihanchi Shodan, this time, as our work was going to be based on that.  I got complemented on being able to tense my stomach well to take a punch, which I appreciated.

Then there were a good few drills, some of which I certainly hadn't done before.  We started off with the Quadrant drill, with different partners,  but then did two drills new to me:

Forearm strike drills, with alternate strike, block, move arm combinations. We did right side then left side practice .with different partners.

Hook drills, alternate punch, block (Neko Ashi Dachi Shuto u
Uke), move combinations, firstly with ducking to change sides, then with take down after third repetition, with different partners.   

After that we went on to Kobudo, with both Bo and Nunchaku.  With Bo we did Kihon Katas Shodan and Nidan, with Nunchaku we did the first part of the Hamahiga Kata;  featuring direction changes and figure 8s. We also did some pad work with Nunchaku, on figure 8 strikes.

A really enjoyable lesson, and I now seem to be struggling less with staying the distance 😊😊😊😊.  I should put this properly to the test in April next, as I just booked mine and my son's places on an Iain Abernathy seminar in April.  4 hours should be a good work out 😊😊😊.

Keep on keeping on

We have a grading comping up soon, plus a short demonstration to do at a charity even. Accordingly, our session yesterday was a mix of elements.   We started of with Core drills (including rolls and shrimping) followed by Stretches.

From there, we did Kata (Naihanchi Shodan), followed by fundamentals: punches, receiving techniques and kicks.  After that we went through the 10 kihon katas that we practise,  I only need the first two for my grading but we go through them all.  I can remember the first four:

1. Step, forehand punch, backhand punch, mai geri
2. Mai geri, step forehand punch, backhand punch
3  Step, forehand punch, backhand punch, feet together, front leg mawashi geri
4  Feet together, front leg mawashi geri, step forehand punch, backhand punch

Plus I now remember the last two:
.
9 -   Shuffle, backhand forehand punch, shuffle, backhand forehand punch, right then left mawashi geri, spinning kick
10 - Shuffle, backhand forehand punch, shuffle, backhand forehand punch, right then left mawashi geri, hisa geri

Next we repeated the Tai Sabaki (body management) exercises from the Monday session - with one Sensei trying to hit with a padded kendo style stick and the other with a Shinai.   The trick was to evade, first of all to a lunge by stepping away, followed by a head swipe followed by ducking.  After that, we had to evade a leg swipe by jumping, followed by a head / leg swipe combination by ducking then jumping.  Finally, we had to evade a lunge by swaying, followed by evading a lunge, head swipe, leg swipe, lunge combination by stepping, ducking, jumping and swaying.

From there we went on to flow drills, working at two variations:

Flow drill variant 1: Fence push, crash inside hook, ridge hands into clasp, push down and away (Naihanchi)
Flow drill variant 2: Fence push, crash inside hook, ridge hands into clasp, push down, attacker comes up then bear hug. Lift one shoulder, releasing arm which goes round the back, step back (zenkutzu dachi) and turn, throwing the opponent  (Naihanchi / Pinan)

Finally we did Kobudo, with Nunchaku - doing the Hamahiga kata.  On top of that, my son was presented with student of the month, so a really good and varied session 😊😊

Dojo day: A mix of things

Saturday in the Dojo was a mix of things, from break fall practise as warm up through to Nunchaku kata practise at the end.  I was a bit limited due to problems with my right shoulder, but otherwise was a really good workout 😊.

After the break fall practise, with roll throughs into fighting stance and floor kicking positions, was the usual stretching.  From there, we went on to our current core theme, the quadrant drill, practised in a slightly different way.  Firstly, we did it as a solo drill, as the attacker, then we went on to practise the elements and finally the full drill with different partners.

After that, it was looking it Naihanchi-based movements that turn into throws.  This was good for me, as I don't practise this anywhere near enough.  We covered shoulder throws, hip throws and over the leg throws (the step past and rotate your upper body to strike kind).  I'm quite tall, so it was a challenge, but did manage to lift at least one partner into a throwing position. 😊  When it came to trying doing it as whatever comes into your head though it was a bit of a mess as I didn't remember enough of the techniques 😕

The overall conclusion is that I need to get closer, with a lower centre of gravity and concentrate in getting "under" my partner's centre of gravity to make the hip and shoulder  throws work and more practise at these techniques in general.

The last part of the lesson was Nunchaku, practising the Hamahiga kata.  It's quite complicated, but I think I did a bit better than the first time is was introduced to me 😊.  Again though lots of practising to do this summer.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable session 😊😊